Basic characteristics for an NPC (Non-Player Character)
When it comes to role-playing, whether in narrative or with a specific game system, it is very important to differentiate the player characters (real world PJs) from the non-player characters (NPCs) that inhabit the fantasy world and interact with the environment around them. These souls that inhabit the universe give richness, immersion and enhance the experience in the games. Giving them personality and depth to their lives requires a little effort, but the result is the equivalent of watching a movie or series and falling in love with a secondary character.
There are some tricks to make the creation of non-player characters for role-playing games more bearable. Here we are going to show some of them, which will help Game Masters to develop and interpret them in their role-playing sessions.
1. Basic characteristics: The minimum you should keep in mind is what fantasy race he is, what trade he has, what his name is, and what purpose he currently serves. With these four things you can develop a character, giving it prominence and differentiating it from the rest. Later, if the character gains prominence and importance, you can go deeper into his family, history, special abilities, likes, dislikes, friends, enemies, etc.
2. Motivation and participation in the plot: If it is an improvised character, it will not be necessary to think about it too much, since its creation has been the result of chance, that the players have come across it in an event or by their own interest. However, if the non-player character is part of the plot, it must have a reason to exist. This means that it is not advisable to put in characters that are not going to be key to the plot in some way. You can create a shepherd's daughters, show them to the players, but don't go too deep into them if they don't have an important role in the story later on.
3. Importance of Characters: It is common for Game Masters to give priority to one character over another, this is because the story has a specific course and each character has a role to play that can be liked more or less. However, the priority is not how important the non-player character is, but how real it looks and how it is perceived by the players. If it is a character that bores the players, it is best if he does not appear much in the story.
4. Keep the information in written form: During the story many improvised characters will emerge and the characters of the plot will evolve and define themselves little by little, developing their personality and background. It is important to keep all this information, since they may reappear later, linked to the plot or affected by it. This gives an extra touch of realism that will excite the players. For example: An old man who was saved on a road full of bandits has gained the favor of the King, and happens to be part of the jury that currently has to give judgment on a case of importance to the players. The dates of occurrences and events are very important to give coherence to the facts derived from the actions of the players.
5. None is important. Always keep this in mind. Even if you get attached to a non-player character, he/she will always be dispensable. What is important are the real players, who are enjoying themselves, having fun and immersed in the fantasy world prepared for them. If an NPC has a fatal outcome, don't try to fill that space with an equal one, continue the story and little by little new links will be created with others. These links will be better or worse, more intense or less memorable, but they will give realism to the plot.